Shoppers could hold vital information about a possible rape in Colchester.

Detectives are investigating allegations of sexual assault on a girl in the town on Friday night.

The teenager, who lives in the Colchester area, claimed she was assaulted between 7pm and 8pm in an alleyway behind the shops in Vineyard Street.

Police are keen to track down the man they believe was involved.

He was described as white, aged 30 to 40-years-old, with a shaved head and black tattoos on his body.

He had a foreign accent - possibly Eastern European - and wore a navy blue sports jacket and light brown or beige trousers.

Officers are also hoping to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time.

They are particularly keen to talk to a man and a woman who both separately made comments to shopkeepers in the area about the incident, and a group of youngsters who were known to have been hanging around the area.

CCTV footage from the area has been collected and is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

Anyone with any information should call CID at Colchester police station on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.